Love Inspired Historical June 2014 Bundle: Lone Star Heiress\The Lawman's Oklahoma Sweetheart\The Gentleman's Bride Search\Family on the Range (79 page)

Her voice echoed, rising and falling, filling the desert around her, reaching, she hoped, the God she loved. As she neared the hidden trail that wound carefully to the ranch's secluded location, her voice tapered with the end of the song and she slowed the mare to a stop.

She took a deep breath. Filled her lungs with the scents of sage and pine, listening to the sounds of summer birds calling to each other across the rugged landscape.

As she sat there, another sound filtered through to her hearing, a different sound. A sound that didn't fit.

She froze, patting her mare to soothe the sudden dance she did with her hooves.

The sound came again. A steady clop, like the muted sounds of covered hooves.

Her breaths shortened as panic began to claw up her breastbone, rising and grabbing her, reaching to her throat and clutching it in an unbreakable vise.

Someone had followed her.

Chapter Twelve

S
omehow Mary managed to keep calm and continue onward. She dodged the main, albeit camouflaged, trail and instead guided the horse down a steep embankment into a gnarled, woody area. The steep hills and shrubbery provided decent enough cover if she stayed within shadows and kept to the sides of the range, which in some places rose to over a thousand feet.

The ranch was nestled in a deserted area that was almost like a valley. The Steens Mountains loomed on one side, and the surrounding desert provided natural protection against human intruders. When Trevor had first brought her to the ranch, she'd been in shock from the kidnapping and hardly noticed her surroundings. As months passed, though, the encircling natural formations began to be her peace, to comfort and protect her. But they never did warm the chill in her soul.

It took a special kind of person to do that. She smiled as she navigated a particularly rough patch in her detour. Miss Alma's presence had changed the way Mary looked at life and though it took time, eventually she'd been able to trust others and find joy again.

Fear hadn't been her companion in so long that now when it reappeared, she wasn't sure what to do. Praising God had helped...until she'd heard someone following her.

For the first time in years, her faith was being tested in a large, unanticipated way. She deliberately slowed her breathing, willing her heart rate to follow.

Nothing stood out, though. Just familiar horse noises from her mount. Once she was sure no one had followed her onto this new path, she forged ahead and willed the old memories to stay at bay.

“For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” She uttered the verse beneath her breath. And then she felt strong emotion welling within her, a hot arc of anger that someone dared follow her, that they even dared to make her afraid.

This was
her
home. Josie might be leaving soon, but until tomorrow, she was Mary's responsibility and she
would
keep her safe. Who knew where that stranger had gone who looked for her, but she would not allow him to trespass on her property. If he so much as tried to get in her front door, well...she wouldn't hesitate to use her derringer.

Her jaw set and she lengthened her stride. When she was certain she wasn't being followed anymore, she took a more direct route to the ranch. By the time she reached her home, the sun had dropped to the horizon and a cool breeze scooped and swirled around her.

Josie sat outside the house with her mother, weaving a basket.

Mary rode past, took care of the horse in the stable, then walked home. Josie looked up with a toothy smile. Rose's smile was in her eyes.

“You've been busy,” Mary said, grabbing a rocking chair and pulling it near where Josie sat on the porch floor so she could reach and touch the little girl's hair, which glinted in the fading sunlight.

“I have many baskets to sell,” Rose answered. Her hands moved steadily.

“You do not have to work anymore.”

Her mother's eyes flickered before she looked down at her work. “It is something I've done since I was a small girl at my mother's side. I will pay my way.”

Mary wanted to tell her mother that she didn't owe her anything. This home was free. But Josie watched them with bright eyes, and the subject was much too personal to air in front of little ears.

Instead, she shrugged. “My trip to town was fruitful. There are a few store areas that look as though they'd fit my needs.” She'd discussed the ranch sale with her mother last night.

“And the cost?”

“I didn't find out yet.” She shifted uncomfortably. Though she'd saved quite a bit in the past years, she wasn't sure it would be enough to open a new business, let alone rent a space for a baker. If she was going to own a business, it would be for something she loved to do. Something she knew she could excel at but would also fill a need in the town.

“Building a business often requires money,” her mother said.

“I know.” Mary sighed and smoothed the top of Josie's hair. “What did you two do today?”

“We made bunches of baskets. I found a little squirrel and almost caught it.” Josie beamed up at her and Mary grinned.

“Excuse me...” Lou's deep drawl interrupted them.

She looked up and felt that odd catch in her stomach again. His hair had grown too long since the shooting. It gave him a wild, untamed look. The scruff on his jaw only lent to the dangerous edge he exuded and deepened the blue of his eyes.

“Yes?” She tried to swallow the dryness from her throat. Nerves prickled.

He didn't look at her mother or Josie but focused his gaze upon her, increasing the flame of anxiety that flickered through her body. “Just wanted to verify you'll give me my shave and trim after supper.”

No,
she wanted to yell. Instead, she found herself stuck nodding a wordless yes.

Every ounce of her felt caught in that magnetic gaze of his.

Finally, he looked away, and she could breathe again.

“Josie, pack your things tonight. We leave at first light,” he said.

“Where are we going?”

“Tomorrow we're taking you to your mother.” A strange catch in his voice tripped Mary's attention.

Was that pain traveling across his face? The emotion passed too quickly and once again his features settled into a carefree smile.

“Oh.” Josie quieted beneath Mary's hand, which still rested on her head.

He shouldn't have broken the news to her like this. Mary frowned and guided Josie to rest her head against her leg. She stroked the little girl's hair. “Don't you want to see your mother?”

“I guess....” Her voice trailed off. “I just don't want to see
him
.”

“We're gonna take you straight to your mother. Only her. And I'm going to make sure you're completely safe before I leave.” Lou's eyes darted to Mary before he squatted in front of Josie. “Your mother missed you and thought you were visiting relatives.”

“She sent me away,” Josie said in a very small voice.

Something bitter and sharp pricked at Mary. She swallowed hard and tucked a hair behind Josie's ear. She felt her mother's gaze.

“I know, sweetheart.” Empathy filled Lou's tone. “But she didn't want you to be gone forever, just to visit family. And now that we've found her and I'm better, Miss Mary and I are going to take you home so your mommy won't be sad anymore.”

Josie turned her face into Mary's skirt and mumbled something.

“Sometimes a mother makes a very big mistake,” Rose said quietly. “It takes a wise little girl to forgive and offer a second chance.”

“I'm not gonna go.” Josie pulled away, and Mary caught a glimpse of the stubborn glare she aimed toward Lou.

“Mary, please make sure she's packed for tomorrow,” he said in a soft voice. He gave Josie a tender smile before looking to Mary. “I'll be ready after supper.” He turned on his heel and strode away.

* * *

True to her word, Mary showed up after the dishes were done and Rose had taken Josie back to the house for sleep. He watched from the sitting room window as she came up the porch and paused before the front door. She adjusted her skirt and appeared to take a deep breath. Her face looked flushed and her eyes glimmered.

Was she nervous?

Her body language said so.

He stepped away from the window, rubbing the back of his neck. If there was another way to save her this discomfort, he would. Unfortunately, James was busy checking their route for tomorrow and making sure everything was in order while they were gone. He didn't have time to be a barber, too.

The idea of making Mary uncomfortable bothered him deeply, but after spending these weeks here, he realized he'd done wrong in keeping her so isolated. Seeing her with Josie, it had become obvious she loved children. Maybe even wanted a family of her own. Sometimes he worried he'd stolen that from her by keeping her so comfortable at the ranch that she rarely left.

Yes, she'd needed time to heal from her kidnapping, but that didn't seem reason enough now for her isolation. A deep compulsion drove him to do something more, make sure she was okay before he left Harney County for good. But what could he do?

The front door creaked and then there was the click of it closing. Mary appeared in the doorway, her hair neat and shining, her face devoid of emotion. He gestured to the chair near the window where he'd set the supplies. “Have you ever done this?”

“A long time ago.”

Her voice wobbled, betraying what her face hid.

A fierce surge of protectiveness shot through him. And uncertainty, because something about him was making her nervous lately. Was she feeling what he was? That could be dangerous for both of them.

The thought soured his positive feelings and turned his voice curt. “Just don't cut me, then. Try to make things even in the back.”

“I'll do my best.”

He settled into the chair. At least he wouldn't have to see her face, look into her eyes. The deep calm of them had always pulled at him, drawn him in a way he'd hated. But as her fingers combed through his hair, wetting and straightening, he realized that being in this vulnerable position was infinitely worse. Silently groaning, he forced himself to ignore the warm strength of her fingers against his nape.

She worked in silence for several long, torturous minutes. The sound of the scissors snipping took the place of any words they might've shared.

“Have you packed?” he asked at last. Staying quiet seemed worthless when there was something to be said.

“Not yet.” Her voice, a lyrical blend of sound, floated over him.

“You should do that. Make sure Josie is ready, too.”

“I will.” Now she sounded defensive. “She needs time to adjust. We should have given her that.”

“She had to know she would go home eventually,” he pointed out, despite the guilt twisting his gut.

His head tugged back a little more roughly than normal.

“For some reason, she doesn't want to return home. Don't you find that suspicious?”

“Yep.”

“And yet you'll still send her?”

“I told you that I'll be arranging for her protection, but can we talk about this when you're not armed with scissors?” He tilted his head to meet her rather serious gaze. When he winked at her, the color in her face deepened. Yep, definitely not immune to him.

Despite the inconvenience of this unfortunate attraction, he settled back in the chair again with a satisfied feeling. He could handle things. Get Josie out of danger. Find the shooter. Settle James and Mary before he moved on.

Based on that telegram he'd picked up in town, he had a couple of options.

The clink of the knife against the washbowl drew him out of his thoughts. Mary, armed with a towel and shaving cream, hovered in front of him.

“Ready?” she asked.

He nodded and closed his eyes as she dabbed the cool cream across his skin. Then there was the rasp of the razor against his throat. She moved quietly and smoothly, making no conversation. Her scent hovered just beneath the scent of his shaving cream.

As she worked, the unease in his gut spread. Ever since that day he'd seen her in the valley with Josie... This wasn't good. Attractions were best left alone. Then again, sometimes all it took was a kiss to know the woman he'd been mooning over wasn't for him. There'd been a couple like that, women he'd thought might ease his loneliness, maybe help him forget Sarah and Abby.

They never did.

And Mary, well, he didn't even know if she'd ever been kissed. He cracked a lid. Her eyes were focused somewhere around his chin and her brows narrowed in concentration. His mouth twitched. Her attention shifted to him.

Her gaze lingered a little too long before darting away. He shut his eyes but couldn't temper the emotions ricocheting through him, nor the knowledge of what he'd just seen.

Mary felt drawn to him.

Something deeper and more elemental than mere attraction rushed through him. The emotion settled in his chest, patient and alert, waiting for expression.

He forced steady breaths and held perfectly still while Mary continued the shave. His biceps bunched when her skirt brushed against him. Mouth dry, he waited.

For what, he wasn't sure, but suddenly things changed. Moved to a different place. He opened his eyes again. Mary looked at him, soft lips pursed. What would it be like to kiss her? She, who seemed so unreachable?

“Can you turn your head just so?” Her palm cupped his chin.

He reached up and encircled her arm, resting his fingers against the warmth of her inner wrist. Her eyes widened. She began to pull away, but he stood and slid his hand down to hers, lacing his fingers within hers. With his other hand he reached for the towel and roughly brushed it against his lips.

He tossed it to the ground.

“Wh-what are you doing?”

Her stammer did nothing to ease the pulse hammering through him. No, those wide eyes only beckoned him closer. To know exactly what he was dealing with.

“Are you afraid of me?” he rasped.

Her eyes held his, so deep, so full of mystery. “No,” she whispered.

His chest tightened and he reached for her, pulling her close to him, drawing her lips to his, searching yet careful, probing yet holding back.

Until he felt her resistance crumble.

When she responded, that band inside his chest snapped and he became voracious, longing, wishing for something that seemed so far beyond his reach.
Home
. The scent of flowers and sage swirled around him in a heady, pulsating rush.

He was the first to pull away. He forced himself to separate from her. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes burned dark and fathomless.

That kiss had been exquisite. Incredible.

The absolute biggest mistake of his life.